Liverpool double winner turned football coach Kevin MacDonald was suspended from working with players by Aston Villa amidst bullying claims from a former Everton player.

Villa stopped the Scotsman, who won the league title and FA Cup with the Reds in 1986, from working with players after a former graduate of the club - Gareth Farrelly, who played for the Blues, came forward to talk about claims of relentless bullying from MacDonald in the mid-1990s.

Farrelly, who's goal against Coventry City in 1998 kept the Toffees in the Premier League, spoke to the Guardian to accuse the youth coach of “incredibly aggressive, constant verbal and physical bullying” and said it “took me to a place at 20 that nobody should have to go to. And I wouldn’t wish it on anybody.”

Everton v Coventry, May 10, 1998: Gareth Farrelly gives Everton the lead - the point they earned from the 1-1 draw saved them from relegation

MacDonald was placed in caretaker charge of the first team earlier this season after Steve Bruce was sacked.

Republic of Ireland international Farrelly, who is now a solicitor, said: “I say, and I maintain this position, that his regime destroyed far more kids than he ever developed … If people had been treated better, fairly, you can’t say they would definitely have made it but they would have had an opportunity to develop and kick on more.”

Villa have referred the allegations to the local and football authorities.